Student Grievance Procedure

Sonoran Desert Institute

A student is encouraged to discuss academic progress, suggestions or concerns with Sonoran Desert Institute staff, faculty or administration.

Student Grievance Procedure

A student is encouraged to discuss academic progress, suggestions, or concerns with Sonoran Desert Institute staff, faculty, or administration. It is suggested that the student make contact with the staff by email or telephone. In the event of a concern, grievance, or complaint that is not satisfactorily addressed through informal conversation, the student may submit a formal complaint relating to the following unresolved areas:

Administration

Finance

Technical Issues

Faculty Performance

Program Content

This formal complaint must be in writing and delivered to the Institute by first class mail within 30 days of the grievance. The student should use the SDI Student Grievance Form and include information regarding the informal conversations. The SDI Student Grievance Form can be found at the bottom of this page.

When the Institute receives an SDI Student Grievance Form, the Institute’s compliance officer must send an acknowledgment letter within two business days stating that an investigation will begin. The compliance officer will contact the staff/faculty members directly involved and attempt to reach a resolution. The compliance officer will keep a log of all formal complaints.
Within 15 days after the acknowledgment letter is sent, the compliance officer must provide to the student a mailed written response of the Institute’s decision.

When the Institute receives an SDI Student Grievance Form, the Institute’s compliance officer must send an acknowledgment letter within two business days stating that an investigation will begin. The compliance officer will contact the staff/faculty members directly involved and attempt to reach a resolution. The compliance officer will keep a log of all formal complaints. Within 15 days after the acknowledgment letter is sent, the compliance officer must provide to the student a mailed written response of the Institute’s decision.

The student, if not satisfied with the decision, may appeal that decision, in writing, to the Institute’s president. The president must respond to the student within 15 days after receipt of the appeal. The decision of the president is final and the Institute will end all investigation regarding the grievance.

If the student’s complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the Institute’s grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details. The State Board mailing address and contact information is listed below.

SARA Complaint Process
The Arizona SARA Council has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA-approved institutions including Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Council and should not be submitted for review. Prior to registering a non-instructional complaint with the Arizona SARA Council, the student/complainant must complete SDI’s and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education complaint process, as listed above. Non-instructional complaints may be submitted here.

Students also have the right to contact state authorization or accrediting agency contacts for specific issues. For online students who are residents of states outside of Arizona, consumer inquiries may be directed to the following: Consumer Protection Agencies

Student Grievance Form

Name

FirstMiddleLast

Phone

Email*

Student Identification Number

The Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) takes student concerns and complaints very seriously and encourages our students to provide feedback any time they are not satisfied completely. See full details of SDI's Student Grievance procedure below, and complete the forms below in as much detail as possible:

Please describe your grievance or concern in detail

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that SDI may contact you via call, text, or email. You may opt-out of this communication at any time by calling 844-238-0165, emailing, or by text replying "STOP". SDI values your privacy. Your information will never be sold to third parties. See our privacy policy for more info.